Okay, now here's one from a former member of the Illinois NATIONAL GUARD.

On May 13, 1968 my NG unit was called "for up to two years federal active duty." In September, 1968, the unit (including my brother, who was the supply clerk) was sent to Chu Lai, South Vietnam (I was eventually sent to Korea, where I served with the Seventh Infantry Division). The unit drove 5K gallon tankers full of things like JP-4 fuel up and down Highway 1 -- and yes, they were ambushed. Like myself, some of the guys were seperated and served in other units, like the 4th Inf. Div., the 9th Inf. Div, 1 Cav., etc. Of those activated, none were killed (although some were wounded). Yes, some of those who were assigned to the unit after it was in-country were killed in both heroic and decidedly non-heroic circumstances.

In August, 1969 we were returned "to State control." Reunited by in our hometown, we all eventually returned to civilian life.

I restarted college, which the callup had interrupted. My reception by the "Peace And Freedom Coalition" folks was, ah, mixed. And I can tell you from experience that flying in uniform from Sea-Tac airport to O'Hare whilst the remains of Woodstock dribbled into the West Coast was something I wouldn't want anyone to experience.

Someone in college DID spit on my brother because of his duty in VN. This was not a good idea and cost the spitter some teeth and considerable pain.

While my brother was in VN, my other brother, who was a flying spy for the Air Force, couldn't go. The second brother eventually spent 18 months in SEA; one of the things he did was fly airborne intelligence for the Son Thuy raid.

One person said thanks. I'm still married to her.

The scars are still often tender, but I don't hate anyone. As was said before, the grunts (and I was light weapons infantry) were the people most against the war -- for them, it was personal.